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Fulham 3-1 Aston Villa Cham 43 1617 - GetWestLondon

last updated Wednesday 19th April 2017, 9:20 AM

Ryan O'Donovan at GetWestLondon

Fulham (1) 3-1 (0) Aston Villa

Goals from Ryan Sessegnon, Sone Aluko and Neeskens Kebano ensured Slavisa Jokanoovic's side kept up pressure on the play-off places thanks to a 3-1 win over Aston Villa.
Chris Martin missed the tie with Villa after Fulham's appeal against his red card at Norwich was rejected by the FA late on Easter Sunday and was replaced by Ryan Sessegnon, with the cameras of Sky focused squarely on the teenager.
And it was the teenager who got the first goal of the afternoon when the ball came in over from the right wing, where Fulham had got early success, with Sessegnon hitting hit on the volley and crashing it off the cross bar before he slotted home the follow up after 18 minutes.
It got worse for Villa four minutes later when Jonathan Kodjia was sent off for an off the ball altercation with Ryan Fredericks after referee Mr Coote asked for clarification from his fourth official Mr Salisbury.
Tim Ream had the chance to double the lead when the ball fell to him on the left side of the six yard box in additional time, but he dragged his strike inches wide of Sam Johnstone's left hand post.
But the ten men of Villa got back into the game when Jack Grealish turned onto his right foot and curled the ball into the top corner only five minutes into the second half.
But Fulham got ahead again when brilliant play down the left saw Floyd Ayite fire the cross into Aluko, who acrobatically struck the ball which deflected past Johnstone and into the net.
Neeskens Kebano was brought on after 58 minutes for Malone and he caused a number of problems before getting his goal when he was played in on the right, cutting in and slotting the ball into the bottom left hand corner to make it three.
Here's how we rated the players:
Bettinelli 7: Could do nothing about Jack Grealish's wonder strike, but apart from that had a comfortable afternoon. His distribution was good and he was comfortable in the air.
Fredericks 8: Jordan Amavi will be having nightmares about Fredericks until the end of the season and some time after that - Fredericks was all over him and always wanted the ball out on the right.
Malone 7: Had a good first half in my books with a number of crosses into the six yard box and was Fulham's main outlet out on the wide, creating a good partnership with Sessegnon before being subbed after 55 minutes.
McDonald 7: Another dominant display in the anchor role of midfield - he didn't allow Villa's creative players to find space between the midfield and the forwards and completely shut down the midfield when the away side went down to ten men.
Cairney 7: A good performance in the centre of midfield from the Scottish international - he always wanted the ball and was hungry to make things tick for Fulham. Ayite and Aluko constantly wanted the ball from him and he was only too happy to oblige, setting up a number of attacks.
Ayite 7: Was in good form down either flank and caused Villa problems with his constant running. Did fantastic to set up Aluko's goal as his one-two with Fredericks sliced through the defence before his ball found Aluko on a plate.
Ream 7: Yet another solid game from Ream. After Kodjia's sending off him and Kalas shackled Hogan and you wouldn't have noticed the ex-Brentford man was playing for the majority of the game. Probably should've bagged himself a goal but you couldn't fault his defensive display.
Johansen 7: I was impressed with Johansen again - his ability to win the ball and set Fulham racing forward all in one move was important in the early stages and caused Aston Villa problems. Found himself able to turn and run at goal a number of times and was unlucky not to get another goal for his efforts.
Aluko 8: His goal came at a crucial point in the game, minutes after Villa had equalised that gave the side belief once again. Was a threat down the right with some nice skill and caused problems for the away side's defence.
Kalas 7: Solid game for Kalas alongside Ream once again. Didn't put a foot wrong and kept Hogan quiet for the entire game.
Sessegnon 7: Will get all the plaudits once again for his goal that gave Fulham the lead but was far quieter in the second half. Caused problems for Bree in the first half but didn't have much to do over on the left in the second 45.
Subs:
Kebano 8: Jokanovic's masterstroke - his caused problem after problem when he came on for Malone and reaped his rewards with a finely taken goal to make it three.
Piazon N/A: Only played five minutes of a comfortable win for Fulham.